Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma ordered officials to fortify the state against climate risks linked to El Niño. The state faces potential threats to agriculture and drinking water supplies. Sangma led a session of the Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change to evaluate the danger. He said, "El Niño is a reality, but its impacts are difficult to predict."
Mapping teams are scanning districts to spot vulnerable zones. The government will launch Block-Level Climate Action Teams to improve coordination. Officials plan to restore drying springs and expand tree planting in catchment areas. They also aim to boost natural farming and fix crop issues like ginger soft rot. The state is training farmers to share methods with their peers.
Preparation is key. The months between November and March demand strict planning. Sangma ordered the immediate start of District Climate Adaptation and Resilience Task Forces. He wants better communication reaching people at the village level. Elected officials must lead local awareness drives. Regular reviews will happen at every level of government. The state aims to keep drinking water flowing if the rains fail. Sangma warned the state must brace for "challenging and unprecedented times" as it looks to build on previous conservation work.
Updated at 25th September 2026 at 10:15pm
Recent pre-monsoon weather held near normal levels, offering a brief buffer for the state. Officials are now formalizing standard operating procedures to handle various emergency scenarios that could arise through March.
The push includes a new focus on information, education, and communication campaigns to get data into the hands of local residents. The government is also building on its existing State Action Plan on Climate Change, relying on past community-led management models to guide the current effort.
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